One-third of the world's population today has no access to any form of modern energy, relying instead on highly polluting fuels like wood and kerosene. No single solution can meet our society's future energy needs. The answer lies instead in a family of diverse energy technologies that share a common thread: they do not deplete our natural resources or destroy our environment.

Sharing, lending, trading, bartering and other non-monetary transactions are becoming the norm in these depressed economic times. It is also green since we don't need to buy stuff that we only use rarely.

There are a billion people living without clean water. Four years ago, some people had a crazy idea. They asked friends to give up their birthdays gifts for donations instead. 100% of the money raised is used to build water projects. Every year, it got bigger. They now helped over a million people get clean water. This September, join them again, start a campaign, give up your birthday. It can change the world.

Many beekeepers have bee hives in their back yards. Some bees are even kept on city roof-tops. Bees can travel several miles to collect nectar and pollen, so they do not need flowering plants close by. Most suburbs have plenty of flowers, and bees can make a good crop of local honey.